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Yankees announce HOPE Week 2013 details; to run from July 8-12

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Press Release |

The New York Yankees are proud to announce details of HOPE Week 2013 (Helping Others Persevere & Excel), a unique week-long community program that brings to light five remarkable stories intended to inspire individuals into action in their own communities.

Initiated in 2009 and now in its fifth year, HOPE Week is rooted in the fundamental belief that acts of goodwill provide hope and encouragement to more than just the recipient of the gesture.

Each day during HOPE Week, from Monday, July 8, through Friday, July 12, the Yankees will reach out to an individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support. Whenever possible, the Yankees will attempt to personally connect with individuals in the settings of their greatest successes or at locations that honor the spirit of their noble endeavors. All outreach in the community ultimately culminates with recognition at Yankee Stadium during a Yankees game.

This year will mark the second consecutive year in which the Yankees' six U.S.-based affiliates will each hold their own HOPE Weeks, truly making this initiative one that the entire organization stands behind in words and in action.

HOPE Week is about people helping people. The one thing everybody has-no matter their background or financial situation-is time. By involving every one of our players and coaches, along with Manager Joe Girardi, General Manager Brian Cashman, our minor league affiliates and front office staff, we are sending the message that everyone can give of themselves to make their community a better place. Equally significant during HOPE Week is gaining publicity for the highlighted causes and organizations. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.

Earlier this year, the Yankees recognized the return of HOPE Week with a pregame ceremony on March 21 at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, prior to their spring training game against the Minnesota Twins, who have embraced the concept by holding their own HOPE Week in each of the last three seasons since 2011.

At the conclusion of the last three Yankees HOPE Weeks from 2010-12, the Yankees (2010), the Steinbrenner family (2011) and the Yankees' minor league affiliates (2012), have each been honored with the President's Volunteer Service Award, given "in recognition and appreciation of commitment to strengthening the nation and for making a difference through volunteer service." The awards were bestowed by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which implements the President's Call to Service.

"HOPE Week reminds us about what we can achieve by rolling up our sleeves and working together, and I commend the New York Yankees for recognizing how volunteering helps communities overcome challenges," said Wendy Spencer, who leads President Barack Obama's national call-to-service initiative, United We Serve, and is the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that engages more than 5 million Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, the Social Innovation Fund, and other programs.

In recognition of the HOPE Week initiative, the Yankees were honored with the Inspiration Glammy Award from the GlamourGals Foundation in 2013 and twice honored in 2011, receiving the DMF Champion of HOPE Award from Daniel's Music Foundation and the "Just Cause" Award at the PromaxBDA Sports Media Marketing Summit.